Description
All-inclusive Lapland holiday week with outdoor activities in Ylläs
Try different activities every day together with a professional local wilderness guide, while spending the nights at a comfortable hotel in Äkäslompolo, Ylläs region of Finland. We take you to our own secret cabin in the middle of a Narnia forest with backcountry skis, as well as to our favourite place for snowshoeing, Pallastunturi. You get to see reindeers up close and experience the most magical snow castle with incredible snow and ice carvings. It is very likely you see northern lights if the sky is clear. Lapland Winter Holiday is for someone appreciating authentic local experiences, away from mass tourism. Small group size ensures private and personal experience. Lapland Winter Holiday week will give you insight on what we, the Pihka Outdoors crew, enjoy doing here every day.
Dates 2026
Jan 26th – Feb 1st 2026
Spots for the all-inclusive holiday: 4-8
Price
3300 EUR
Difficulty level – easy
You do need to be able to walk approximately 4 km fairly easily to be able to participate in all activities: fatbiking, cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing and snowshoeing. This is not a sports event though and the main idea is enjoying the magical winter surroundings. The pace will be slow or adjusted according to the group fitness level.
Itinerary for Lapland Winter Holiday
Day 1. Arrival in Ylläs
Getting settled at nice accommodation in Ylläs area. The specific hotel or lodge depends on the availability, but we always keep a high standard. Accommodation is in twin rooms, but also single rooms are possible at request. The nearest airport is Kittilä, Finland, 35 km away and there are easy direct buses to Ylläs. Dinner together and info about the week.
Day 2. Secret cabin in Narnia forest
This adventure takes you to see what Lapland is all about. Snow-covered old trees, animal tracks on snow, pure silence and extreme arctic beauty. You will fall in love with Lapland already on this tour.
Pihka Outdoors guide will pick you up from the hotel by van and take you to the starting point, not that far away. We will hike through the snowy forest with snowshoes or backcountry skis – you choose your method of transport. There are no paths to follow, we make our own tracks. After less than two kilometres we reach our favourite little hideaway spot, a secret cabin in the middle of the woods. At the hideaway we have a break and enjoy lunch and coffee by the open fireplace.
The tour takes around four hours. The rest of the day you can chill or stroll in the shops of Äkäslompolo village. At Holiday Resort Seita, you can enjoy a traditional Finnish sauna and a refreshing swim every day, offered as a complimentary service.
Day 3. Fatbike tour in the national park
Today we discover the beautiful Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park by electric fatbikes. The winter trails around Ylläs are phenomenal, you can bike for more than 100 km through forests and over frozen lakes and swamps. Ylläs boasts the vastest network of groomed winter trails in Finland. The huge tires of fatbike work very well on snow. E-bikes are a nice and fun way of seeing the views while getting ahead at decent speed. You don’t need to be super fit as the electricity will help you cycle in the snowy path. We stop for lunch at a wilderness cafe. The bike tour takes half a day. You will love it!
Day 4. Reindeers & SnowVillage
Today you can give your muscles a break and just chill. We take you to meet and feed the most popular inhabitants of Lapland – reindeer. There are more reindeers than people in Lapland. Get up close to these iconic Arctic animals and learn about their biology, life and important role in culture. Get your camera out as they come closer to you, eagerly awaiting a lichen treat.
After this heartwarming encounter at a small local reindeer farm, we’ll continue our day to a magnificent snow and ice castle, the SnowVillage of Lainio. It is a hotel, art gallery and restaurant all at once. Marvel the stunning sculptures and breathtaking rooms crafted entirely from snow and ice. Our guide will give you a guided tour around the place. It’s a winter wonderland like no other, even for us locals it’s a fun visit every year with changing themes.
We will enjoy lunch at the SnowVillage cafe.
Day 5. Cross-country skiing lesson
Glide into the world of cross-country skiing with our Pihka Outdoors guide, perfect for beginners and seasoned skiers alike. Learn the fundamental techniques of this classic winter sport as you explore snow-covered trails surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. Starting in Äkäslompolo we follow the cross-country skiing tracks around the area – Ylläs region boasts over 300 km of skiing tracks so there is plenty to choose from!
Our instructor will guide you every step of the way, offering personalised tips to help you master your balance, rhythm, and glide. Whether you’re looking to refine your skills or try something completely new, this lesson is tailored to suit your pace and experience level. We will have lunch at a cute wilderness cafe next to tracks. After the tour you can continue your own skiing adventure or return to the hotel with us.
Day 6. Snowshoeing in Pallastunturi
Today we drive you to our very own favourite spot – the Pallas fells. These small round mountains that we call fells are truly ancient and date back 1.8 billion years. Here we embark upon a snowshoeing adventure in the stunning scenery, on the treeless fells of Pallastunturi. This place is untouched and pure in many ways. The air you breath is the cleanest in the whole world – the scientists measure it regularly at a nearby research station.
We snowshoe through this majestic terrain, while our guide shares fascinating insights about the area’s history and natural wonders. We enjoy a freeze-dried lunch pack at a wilderness hut, by a warm open fire.
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or an adventure seeker, this snowshoeing experience in Pallastunturi will leave you in awe of Lapland’s unspoiled beauty.
Day 7. Aurora tour in the evening – free time in the day
Take a day to relax and unwind at your own pace, enjoying the tranquility of Lapland’s stunning landscapes in Äkäslompolo. Whether you choose to book an additional activity such as a snowmobile tour, do some shopping or simply recharge, this free day is all about taking it easy.
As night falls, we’ll gather for a magical evening of Northern Lights hunting. We’ll head to the best viewing spots to witness nature’s most spectacular light show. Learn tips and techniques for capturing the Aurora Borealis on camera, ensuring you go home with stunning photographs of this unforgettable experience.
Be prepared to see the night sky light up with vibrant colours every other evening as well! The chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Ylläs are very good, more than 60 %. All you need is a clear sky and patience. We might change the date of this tour according to weather, aiming for the best possibility to get good pictures of the dancing Auroras.
Day 8. Leaving Ylläs
After breakfast it’s time to head home, head and heart full of memories. There are direct bus routes to Kittilä airport and Kolari trainstation.
Accommodation
Guests on our Lapland Winter Holiday stay at Holiday Resort Seita in Äkäslompolo, in twin rooms. Single rooms are also possible. In the hotel room you have a small fridge, kettle, hairdryer, shower and toilet. All the basics you need for comfort. At the hotel you enjoy good breakfasts and three course dinners after our day tours. There is a small gym and Finnish sauna everyday.
Additional info for Lapland Winter Holiday
Included: All meals (breakfast-lunch-dinner) during days 2-7. Only dinner on day 1 and only breakfast on day 8. Dinners contain three courses and are serves at the hotel.
Excluded: Drinks, additional snacks. Possible additional meals on day 1 and 8.
Extras: On day 7 there is free time during the day to book extra activity at own cost.
Activities: Lapland Winter Holiday is a fun week for an adventurous mind, looking for authentic local activities. We go snowshoeing, fatbiking, cross-country skiing and backcountry skiing – and will tell you how to use different equipment in different terrains. You can borrow kick-sleds at the hotel, a fun and easy way to move about in the village.
Additional activities in Ylläs region you can book include: Alpine skiing, snowmobile, husky safari, reindeer sleigh ride, horse riding.
Your Pihka Outdoor guide will pick you up from the hotel every day for the activities. They will also drop you off at the hotel at the end.
Note!
Winter in Lapland is cold, make no mistake. Temperature can go easily down to -20 Celsius degrees (-4 Fahrenheit). Pack warm winter boots and lots of wool for layering. You can wear many layers and then take some off if it is too warm. In addition you need a down jacket for lunch breaks. Pihka Outdoors will provide a specific clothing list so you know what to pack.
Pihka Outdoors reserves the right to change the order of activities depending on the weather conditions.
How to get there?
Ylläs is a region in Finnish Lapland consisting of two villages, Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi. The nearest airport is Kittilä, less than an hour bus ride away. There are direct buses to Ylläs villages from the airport. The nearest train station is Kolari. You can take a night train from Helsinki and be in the arctic by morning. From Kolari train station there are direct buses to Ylläs, only 40 mins away.
